Managing patients with multimorbidity in primary care

Authors

  • Abrar Abdulfattah Al Yamani Obhur Primary Health Care Center, King Abdullah Medical Complex, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Bayan Talal Zamil Department of Internal Medicine, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Mansour Assaf Alassaf School Health Administration, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Assaf Hassan Alamri College of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
  • Mohammed Ayed Alshahrani College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohammed Ghalab Alanazi Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Zahra Mustafa Al Barak College of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
  • Faris Theyab Alamri College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdullah Saleh Alowaini Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Sahar Yousef AlHawsawi General Physician, Hera General Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  • Maha Ali Hilabi Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222380

Keywords:

Multimorbidity, Comorbidity, Polypharmacy, Primary care, General practice

Abstract

Multimorbidity is usually described as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic medical conditions in the same individual and is related with a reduced quality of life, functional decline, and raised medical expenditure, along with emergency room visits, and specifically with elevated frequency of coexisting illnesses. Multimorbidity poses many difficulties, that can frequently be overburdening. With rising prevalence of multimorbidity across all age groups, both patients encounter many challenges including a sense of isolation in managing multimorbidity. Multimorbidity leads to fragmented care delivery and poorer perception of overall care coordination among patients. Polypharmacy and risks of adverse drug events; treatment burden on the patient, functional problems, especially in the elderly; reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Adoption of a multidisciplinary approach in case management and a prioritization of generic outcomes applicable across comorbidities is recommended to achieve this goal. Management of medicines prescribed for multimorbidity is a significant aspect of improving care in patients with multimorbidity. Optimizing medication regimens is a crucial part of treatment and to acquire this, periodic medication reviews are necessary. Close cooperation among pharmacists and clinicians appears to be the most rational technique for this patient category. Medication reviewal must include “deprescription,” which implies cessation of medications which are not required, offer insufficient prognostic advantage, or are resulting in side effects. Comprehensive prescription guidelines may also be beneficial in maximizing the effectiveness of medications. The review also sheds light on the current research on strategies to improve organization and continuity of care, measures to promote patient-centered care, and the role of self-management education programs in multimorbidity.

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Published

2022-09-28

How to Cite

Al Yamani, A. A., Zamil, B. T., Alassaf, M. A., Alamri, A. H., Alshahrani, M. A., Alanazi, M. G., Al Barak, Z. M., Alamri, F. T., Alowaini, A. S., AlHawsawi, S. Y., & Hilabi, M. A. (2022). Managing patients with multimorbidity in primary care. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(10), 3924–3929. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222380

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Section

Review Articles